If Russia were to carry out a nuclear strike against Ukraine, the United Kingdom is unlikely to respond with direct military force. That’s the assessment made by The National Interest contributor Stavros Atlamazoglou, who recently examined how the West might react in such a scenario.

Atlamazoglou points out that Russian officials have repeatedly hinted at the possible use of nuclear weapons, often framing these warnings as conditional threats. Despite this, he suggests that any Western response — particularly from London — would likely be measured rather than immediate or forceful.

The UK’s current posture on the issue is reflected in its recently released Strategic Defence Review 2025, a document issued by the Ministry of Defence outlining major threats and potential responses.

According to the report, the UK’s nuclear weapons policy is grounded in deterrence, not escalation. The arsenal, the review states, is intended «to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression». The decision to use nuclear force, it notes, lies solely with the sitting Prime Minister — a safeguard that makes any hasty action highly improbable.

Atlamazoglou emphasizes that, under the country’s nuclear doctrine, the use of such weapons is reserved strictly for self-defense. This reinforces the notion that even a dramatic escalation in Eastern Europe would not automatically trigger a British nuclear response.

In short, while London continues to monitor the situation closely, its strategy remains rooted in caution and deterrence — not retaliation.